Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome secondary to bilateral traumatic operculum injury

Abstract

This report describes a case of a 62-year-old man who developed Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome subsequent to traumatic brain injury. The initial presentation of the syndrome was profound loss of voluntary control of orofacial muscles, causing a loss of speech and impairment of swallow. Over subsequent months, a remarkable recovery of these functions was observed. The natural history of FCMS in this case was favourable, with good improvement in function over months. Furthermore, the pattern of bilateral opercular injury was more readily recognised on MRI than on CT, supporting the role of MRI in cases of traumatic brain injury.